Penn State suffered a heartbreaking 25-24 loss to Iowa in interim coach Terry Smith’s debut, extending their losing streak to four games and dropping them to 0-4 in the Big Ten for the first time since 2020. The defeat came just days after the firing of longtime head coach James Franklin, underscoring the team’s ongoing struggles in a tumultuous season.
The game, played on October 18, 2025, at a sold-out Kinnick Stadium, saw Penn State blow an 11-point third-quarter lead in a back-and-forth contest marked by explosive plays and critical mistakes. Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski rushed for a career-high 130 yards and two touchdowns, including a pivotal 67-yard scamper in the fourth quarter that set up the go-ahead score. Penn State running back Kaytron Allen countered with 145 rushing yards and two touchdowns of his own, but it wasn’t enough to secure the victory.
A bizarre sequence just before halftime epitomized the game’s unpredictable nature. With six seconds remaining and trailing 10-7, Iowa attempted a 66-yard field goal that was blocked by Penn State’s Xavier Gilliam. The ball caromed to defensive back Elliot Washington II, who returned it 35 yards for a touchdown as time expired, giving the Nittany Lions a 14-10 lead and momentary momentum.
The fourth quarter proved decisive as Penn State’s offense, led by redshirt freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, managed a 16-play drive that consumed over eight minutes and resulted in a field goal for a 24-19 advantage. However, Iowa needed just two plays to respond, with Gronowski’s long run setting up Kaden Wetjen’s 8-yard touchdown run that put the Hawkeyes ahead for good with 3:54 remaining.
Penn State had one final chance to reclaim the lead, driving to near midfield before Iowa’s defense unleashed an all-out blitz on fourth down. Grunkemeyer’s desperation pass fell incomplete, and the Hawkeyes ran out the clock to secure the victory. The loss dropped Penn State to 3-4 overall and continued their pattern of narrow defeats, with all four Big Ten losses coming by one score.
The defeat places Penn State in rare historical company, as one of only five preseason top-5 teams in the last 40 years to lose four of their first seven games. Interim coach Terry Smith, who took over after Franklin’s dismissal, expressed pride in his team’s effort but acknowledged the need for better execution in crucial moments. “I think we gave everything we had,” Smith said. “There was no one that didn’t give great effort. We just have to execute.”
The game capped an emotional week for the program, with Franklin making his first public comments since his firing on ESPN’s “College GameDay.” Franklin reflected on his tenure and stated, “We’re just going to go win the national championship somewhere else now,” highlighting the abrupt end to his 11-year reign at Penn State. The team’s struggles have raised questions about roster depth, coaching decisions, and the program’s overall direction.
Looking ahead, Penn State enters a bye week before facing top-ranked Ohio State on the road, presenting another daunting challenge in their efforts to salvage the season. The Nittany Lions must address persistent issues in closing out games and minimizing turnovers if they hope to avoid further deterioration in a conference where every loss carries significant implications for bowl eligibility and future recruiting.